superb eight-day regulator longcase clock with centre-sweep seconds and dead-beat escapement

A fine and rare eight-day mahogany longcase clock, the dial signed William Traill, Kirkcaldy. This would have been the owner of the clock, not the maker.

The Traill family dates back to at least the 1300s and probably earlier. They originated in France. The family has strong historical ties to Kirkcaldy, with various members contributing to the town's history and development. The Traill family name is also associated with a temperance coffee house on Greyfriars Place in Kirkcaldy.
The clock dates from circa 1780 and While information specifically about 18th-century clockmakers in Kirkcaldy is scarce, the town was part of a larger Scottish clockmaking scene during that period. Several notable Scottish clockmakers from the era are known, such as those in Edinburgh, and some from smaller towns like Pittenweem. Kirkcaldy, being a significant town in Fife, likely had clockmakers, though records may be less detailed than for larger cities.However, this clock was made for William Traill by a very skilled clockmaker. It has a number of rare features. It is designed to be very accurate and has an eight-day regulator movement with dead-beat escapement so that there is no recoil to spoil the action of the beautiful centre-sweep seconds hand. The pendulum is wood rod to avoid errors due to metal expansion and contraction and has a massive 6.5 inch brass pendulum bob. The movement itself is superb quality and, apart from a clean, required no work. It was a very expensive library clock made for a very important person. The dial, almost uniquely in our 50-year experience, is only 11 inches in diameter. This results in a very slim case of fine proportions.
The case itself is, of course, of the very finest mahogany veneers. There is absolutely no doubt as to whether this is the original movement to the case. Apart from the rarity of the dial size, the cut-out at the base of the trunk door, enabling the weight to pass freely, is single not double - showing that this case was made specifically for this single-weight clock.Delivery is free within Suffolk, Norfolk or Essex. Anywhere else in the UK would be between £150 and £200.The clock is guaranteed by us for two years and will probably run happily for the next 200 by simply winding!All in all, a most rare and unusual clock.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: QXHE2YRAX

Maker/Artist:

Made for William Traill, Kirkaldy

Materials:

Brass, Cuban mahogany

Width (cm):

50

Height (cm):

202

Depth (cm):

26

Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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J. and R. Norman Antiques

We have been antique dealers since 1974 and specialize in antique clocks, especially longcases, but also bracket, carriage and wall clocks. For many years we sourced clocks for a world-renowned clock specialist and author of books about clocks, who has now retired. We carry out restoration on pre-1860 clocks. We are also the largest dealers in 19th century stereoscopic photography in the world. We are a family business and are fortunate in having three generations working - aged from 22 to 75!

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